Bank of America settles Merrill lawsuit for $2.43 billion

Bank of America will pay $2.43 billion to investors who suffered losses after the bank purchased Merrill Lynch during the financial crisis. Click the chart to check BofA's stock.

Bank of America said Friday that it will pay $2.43 billion to settle a class action lawsuit with investors over its acquisition of Merrill Lynch at the height of the financial crisis.

In the 2009 lawsuit, investors claimed BofA made false or misleading statements about the financial health of both companies prior to the merger.

While BoFA denied the allegations, it said it agreed to settle to avoid a drawn out and expensive legal battle.

"Resolving this litigation removes uncertainty and risk and is in the best interests of our shareholders," said CEO Brian Moynihan in a statement. "As we work to put these long-standing issues behind us, our primary focus is on the future and serving our customers and clients."

As part of the settlement, BofA said it will also institute new corporate governance policies, including those relating to majority voting in director elections, annual disclosure of noncompliance with stock ownership guidelines, policies for a board committee regarding future acquisitions, the independence of the board's compensation committee and its compensation consultants, and conducting an annual "say-on-pay" vote by shareholders.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank also said it would log a litigation charge of about $1.6 billion in the third quarter related to the settlement.